external image AtanasoffPortrait.jpg

  • Born: october 4, 1903
  • Died: June 15, 1995 (stroke)
  • His mother was a teacher of mathematics. His mother taught him mathematics starting at age nine.
  • After graduating from the University of Florida in 1925, he took a job teaching a fellowship at Iowa State college for the fields of engineering and science.
  • In 1926, he received his Master's degree in mathematics.
  • He had three children with his wife Lura meeks, that he met at the Dixie Club at Iowa State College.
  • When Workd War II started, the work on the ABC was halted and Atanasoff took a defense-related position for the U.S. Naval Ordinance.
  • While working for the government, Iowa State College dismantled the machine without notifying Berry or Atanasoff and only few parts remained.
  • He divorced his wife in 1949 and married an Iowan Alice Crosby who had also been working in Washington during the war years.
  • He has received numerous awards and honors for his work.

References:
http://www.scl.ameslab.gov/ABC/Biographies.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Vincent_Atanasoff